The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-17

jumper upon the grazing aOaIC inc
wheel and waved my hat to them, and
pointed to our signals. a man stand
ing near their starboard quarterback.
whom, by the way he looked aloft, l
judged to be the captain, fourished his
hand in reply.
then, at the top of my voice and
through my hands, shouted: Were
sinking! for Gods sake stand by us!'
On which tho same person held up his
hand again, though do not believe he
understood or even heard what l
said.
Meanwhile they had braced up tho
fore-yards, and as the vessel came
round parallel with US. at a distance
of about two-thirds of a mile, they
backed the main-yards, and in few
moments she lay steady, riding finely
upon the water and keeping her decks
dry, though the seas were splashing
over US freely,
Seeing new. as I believed. that she
meant to stand by us, all my excite
ment broke out afresh. l cried out
that we were saved, and fell upon my
knees and thanked God for his mercy.
Miss Robertson soobed aloud. and the
steward came down out of the rigging
and danced about the deck, eXclaiming
wildly and extending his arms toward
the ship. Cornish retained his grasp
of the wheel, but could net move his
eyes from the ship; the boatswain alone
remained perfectly tranquil, and even
angercd me by his hard, unconcerned
face.
Good Cod" l cried, "do you not
value your life? Have you nothing to
say? See. she is lying there, and will
wait till the sea moderates, and then
fetch US on board"
Perhaps she may" he answered,
land it'll be time enough for Inc to 90
mad when / am saved"
And then he folded his arms afresh,
and leaned against the rail, contem-
plating the ship with the same extra
ordinary indifference
The movements of the people on the
Russian bark were quite discernible by
the naked eve; and we all now, saving
the boatswain, watched her with rapt
eagerncss, the steward stopping his
mad antics to grasp the poop-rail, and
gaze with deyouring eyes.
We did not know what they would
do, and, indeed, we scarcely knew
what we had to expect; for it was plain
TO Ills all that boat would stand but
poor chance in that violent sea, and
that we should run a greater risk of
losing our lives by quitting the ship
than by staying in her.
But would they not give us some
sign. some assurance, that they meant
to stand by US?
The agony of my doubts of their in
tentions was exquisite.
"Are they goin' to lower that boat?"
exclaimed the boatswain, suddenly
starting out of his apathetic manner
There was crowd of men around
the starboard davits where the quarter
boat hung. but it was not until
brought the telescope to bear upon
them that could see they were hold
ing An animated discussion.
The man who had motioned to us.
and whom took to be master of the
ship, stood AFT. in company with two
others and woman, and gestIculated
very vehemently, sometimes pointing
at us and sometimes at tAe sea.
His meaning was Ineligible enough
to me, but | was not disheartencd; for
though it was plain that he WAS repre-
senting the waves as too rough to per-
NIT them to lower 4 boat, which was a
conclusive sign, at least, that those |
whom he addressed were urging him |
to save us; yet his refusal was no proof !
hat he did not mean to keep by us UNI !
- Sh, to .
our ship.
"What will they do, Mr.. Royle," ex-
claimed Miss Robertson. speaking in 4 |
voice sharpened by the terrible excite
ment under which she labOrcd
They will not leave Us. answered. !
They are men-and it is enough that !
hey should have seen YOU among lis |
to make them stay. Ohr' | cried, cit |
S hard that those waves do not sub
side! But patience! The wind is lull-
ng-we have long spell of daylight
before us. Would to God she were an
English ship! / should have no fear
hen" l again pointed the glass at the
7eSsel
The captain was still declaiming and
but the men had with
lrawn from the quarter-boat. and were
us over the bulwarks.
Since the boat was not to be lowered,
Why did he continue arguing?
| watched him intently. watched
lin until my eyes grew bleared and
he metal rim of the telescope seemed
o burn into the flesh around my eve.
put the glass down. and turned to
,lance at the flags streaming over my
lead.
There she goes! | knew it. They
lever shows no pity" exclaimed the
,oatswsin, in a deep voice.
l looked and SAW the figures of the
nen hauling on the lee mAin-braces.
The yards swung round; the vessels
ead paid off; they squared away for
ward, and in 4 few minutes her stern
Ias at us, and she went away, solemn
: rolling and plunging; the main-top-
being sheeted home and
he yard hoisted as she surged forward
n her course.
We remained staring after her-no
ne speaking-no one believing in the
ealitv of what he beheld.
OF all the trials that had befallen us,
his was the worst.
When the steward saw that we were
bandoned he uttered a loud scream
nd rushed headlong down into the
uddy.
/ took no notice of him.
Cornish ran from the wheel, and, {
bringing onto the rail, shook his fist
the departing vessel, raving and
ursing her with horrible, blasphemous ;
'ords, black in the face with his made
nd useless rage.
The boatswain took his place and ,